Concrete placement apparatus



Oct. 22, 1940. c. JACKSON CONCRETE PLACEMENT APPARATUS Filed June 12,1959 2 Sheets-Sheet l I Q fi Nm. .,.m L\ S l l^` 0| o ES N OIO 0| OH Il.QN mm .wm

, Oct. 22, 1940. c. JACKSON CONCRETE PLACEMENT APPARATUS Filed June l2,1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 QN R N @N mw m/ mon @fn/f' @cf/maf? E ATTORNEYSamenaza, '1940 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFlcE Corwill Jackson, Ludington,Mich.

Application June 12, 1939, Serial No. 278,594

15 Claims.

'Ihis invention relates to improvements inY concrete placementapparatus.

Themain objects of this invention are:

First, to provide a machine or apparatus for the placement of concretesuch as pavements, concrete slabs, walls of ditches, conduits, or thelike which is well adapted for use in the placement of concrete havingrelatively large aggregate with a relatively small amount of fines,

particularly where such concrete mixture is of low Water content.

Second, to provide a machine of this character which is capable of awide range of ad` justment for the placement of concrete of differentformulae as to aggregate, lines, cement and Water content.

Third, to provide an apparatus of this character which is simple in itsadjustments and highly efficient.

Further objects pertaining to details and economies of my invention willdefinitely appear from the description to follow. The invention isdefined in the claims.

A structure which embodies the features of my invention is clearlyillustrated 1in the accompanyng drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary view in longitudinal section on line I--I ofFig. 2 of a concrete placement machine embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary plan view, parts being omitted and other partsbeing sectioned for convenience in illustration.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view partially in section corresponding to thatof Fig. 1 illustrating the parts in another adjustment from that shownin Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a modified form of vibratingmeans or unit.

Fig. 5 is av fragmentary sectional view showing o a modified form ofvibrating element.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view partially in vertical section of a modifiedform or embodiment of the invention.

The present invention relates to the type of concrete placement machineillustrated in Patent No. 2,150,325, issued March 14, 1939, and is alsoan embodiment of and in some respects an improvement upon certainfeatures shown in my application for Letters Patent Serial No. 234,918,

filed October 14, 1938. My present invention is especially desirable foruse in the placement of low water content concrete having relativelylarge aggregate, a relatively small amount of nes, and as is usual insuch cases a relatively high cement ratio.

In the placement of such concrete mixtures by vibratory methods thereappears to be a. tendency for separation of the mortar from theaggregate, and by my improvements I am able to handle such concretewithout objectionable dis- '5 placement or segregation of the aggregate.

In the embodiment of my invention illustrated, I represents the maincarriage of a paving machine provided with a reciprocating screed 2having a shoe 3 of substantial Width and an upstanding face plate 4adapted to support a substantial amount of concrete to be placed asindicated at 5 in Figs. 1 and 3. This screed 2 is provided withforwardly projecting wings 6 at the ends thereof. These Wings overhangthe side forms l which serve as tracks for the carrying wheels 8 of themain carriage. The screed reciprocates on the forms and is supported bythe forwardly projecting arms 9 having rollers I0 thereon engaging therear `of the screed (Fig. 1).. The screed is reciprocated by suitablepitman II. The details of reciprocating the screed form no part of thisinvention.

I provide an auxiliary vibratory element carrying frame which in thisembodiment consists of the side members I2 and the tubular transversemember I3. These side members I2 are mounted on the push bar I4pivotally mounted on the main carriage at I5. `The side members of theframe are secured to the push bars by means of the clamps I6.

The Wheeled supports I'I are pivoted at I8 on the side members of theframe and are provided with Wheels I9 which travel on the side forms.Means for adjustment of the wheeled supports are designated generally bythe numeral 20 and., as these are described in detail in my abovementioned application Serial No. 234,918 I do not describe them herein.It will be noted that the tilting of the wheeled supports on theirpivots will raise and lower the front ends of the push bars and thusraise and lower the frame carried thereby, consequently raising andlowering the part carried by the frame.

My improved vibratory element consists of a pair of elongated vibratorymembers 2| and 22 arranged in spaced parallel relation as is clearlyillustrated in the drawings." These members are rigidly connected bypairs of vertically disposed tie plates 23 and 24, see Fig. 2. These tieplates are arranged in a vertical position and spaced relation as to thepairs and, the pairs to each other, and they are preferably' foftriangular' shape, although it will be understood that the shape may begreatly varied". 55

The vibratory members 2| and 22 are arranged through openings at thebottom angles of the tie plates and are welded to the tie plates asindicated at 25, Fig. 4, so that the members 2| and 22 and theirconnecting members become in effect an integral unit or element.

The vibrating unit, preferably an electric motor as shown in Figs. 1 and2, the rotor of which is designated by the numeral 26, is provided withan unbalancing weight 21. 'I'he housing 28 of this motor is rigidlybolted or secured to and between the pairs of tie plates 24 and so thatthe axis of the rotor is substantially at the apex of the tie plates andlongitudinally of the vibratory members. The axis of the rotor is in aplane substantially above and in a central relation relative to themembers 2| and 22.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 4 the rotor 29 is in the form of a shaftprovided with an unbalancing weight 30, the rotor being driven by aflexible shaft 3|.

'I'he vibratory unit is supported for free vibratory action by means ofthe flexible non-extensible hangers 32 which are suspended from thebrackets 33 rotatively'adjustable on the frame cross member I3, seeFigs. 1 and 3. The adjustment is effected by loosening the U clamps 3l,properly adjusting the brackets, and tightening the clamps. The lowerends of the hangers 32 are engaged with the cross supports 35 extendingbetween the pairs of tie members 23. 'I'he brackets are provided withforwardly projecting arms 36 to which the flexible non-extensible draftmembers 31 are connected.

It will be observed that by this arrangement the vibratory units may betilted so that the forward vibratory unit is in a plane substantiallybelow the rear vibratory unit as shown in Fig. 3, or they may be broughtto a more nearly horizontal position relative to each other as shown inFig. l, or it is obvious that they can be brought to a completelyhorizontal position or even with the front member in a plane above therear member. To secure this adjustment the clamps I6 are also adjustedon the push bars I4.

With this arrangement of parts the material being treated may passfreely between the vibratory members. These members are preferably ofcylindrical section and relatively small diameter. However, they arepreferably so spaced relative to each other that the vibrations, asindicated by dotted lines in Fig. 1, induced by the separate memberswill merge. 'I'he rear member 22 is of such length that it lies withinthe wing 6, the front member being of such length'as to extend outwardlyin advance of the wing.

With the vibratory elements thus formed and supported, they vibrate in ageneral orbital path but not a, true circular orbit; that is, the orbitwith the vibrating unit placed and mounted as illustrated is found to besomewhat elongated in a vertical direction, but it will be understoodthat the amplitude of vibrations is not intended to be large. The rearvibratory member is positioned preferably as shown in Figs. 1 and 3,quite close to the front plate but spaced therefrom to permit thematerial to flow between the front plate and the vibratory member. It isalso positioned so that the vibratory impulses extend beneath the shoeof the screed as I have indicated.

In the embodiment of my invention shown in Fig. 5, the vibratory members33 and 33 are of ovate cross section, pointed forwardly. 'I'hey arespaced, however, to permit the material to ow between them.

In Fig. 6 I illustrate a modification or addition to the features shownin Figs. 1 to 5, and it should be understood that lthe features hereshown are commonly embodied in the commercial structures. Theseadditions comprise a thrust arm I0 which is secured by the clips 4| tothe vibratory element, the arm projecting upwardly and forwardly tocoact with a resilient bumper 42 carried by the arm 36. These parts donot interfere with the free vibratory action of the vibrating elementbut do have the advantage of holding the vibratory element to the workin the event of its contacting an unusually compacted mass, i

and also to hold it in position when the machine is backed or retracted.Sometimes conditions develop where it is desirable to back up themachine, either to clear some object or to permit a second passagethrough the material treated.

I have illustrated and described my invention in embodiments which Ihave found highly satisfactory. I have not attempted to illustrate ordescribe various modifications and adaptations which are possible, as itis believed this disclosure will enable the adaptation of my inventionas may be desired.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a supportingframe mounted for vertical adjustment, a horizontally disposed vibratoryelement comprising laterally spaced elongated submersible members ofrounded section, a plurality of vertically disposed tie members for saidvibratory members whereby they are rigidly connected as a unit, avibrating means comprising an unbalanced rotor having its axis disposedlongitudinally relative to said vibratory members and in a planesubstantially above and in a central relation thereto, flexible meansfor supporting said vibratory element comprising flexible non-extensiblehangers connected to said tie members, the point of attachment beingsubstantially alined with the axis of said rotor, flexiblenon-extensible draft members for said vibratory element, and tiltablearms on said frame to which the forward ends of said draft members areconnected.

2. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a supportingframe mounted for vertical adjustment, a horizontally disposed vibratoryelement comprising laterally spaced elongated submersible members ofrounded section, a plurality of vertically disposed tie members for saidvibratory members whereby they are rigidly connected as a unit, avibrating means comprising an unbalanced rotor having its axis disposedlongitudinally relative to said vibratory members and in a planesubstantially above and in a central relation thereto, and flexiblemeans for supporting said vibratory element comprising exiblenon-extensible hangers carried by said supporting frame and connected tosaid tie members, the point of their attachment to the tie members beingsubstantially in alinement with the axis of said rotor.

3. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a supportingframe, a horizontally disposed vibratory element comprising laterallyspaced elongated submersible elements, a plurality of tie members forsaid vibratory members whereby they are rigidly connected as a unit, avibrating means for said vibratory element, flexible means forsupporting said vibratory element comprising flexible non-extensiblehangers carried by said supporting frame and connected to said tiemembers, iiexible non-extensible draft members for said vibratoryelement. and tiltable arms on said frame to which the forward ends ofsaid draft members are connected.

4. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a supportingframe, a horizontally disposed vibratory element comprising laterallyspaced elongated submersible members, a plurality of tie members forsaid vibratory members whereby they are rigidly connected as a unit, avibrating means for said vibratory element, and flexible means forsupporting said vibratory element comprising flexible non-extensiblehangers connected to said tie members.

5. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a supportingframe, a horizontally disposed vibratory element comprising laterallyspaced elongated submersible members, a plurality of tie members forsaid vibratory members whereby they are rigidly connected as a unit, avibrating means for said vibratory element, and means for supportingsaid vibratory element on said frame permitting vibration thereof.

6. In a machine of the class described, the combination with asupporting unit provided with means for vertical adjustment thereof, avibratory element carried by said supporting unit for verticaladjustment therewith and comprising horizontally spaced elongatedsubmersible vibratory members rigily connected for vibratory action as aunit and spaced to permit the passage therebetween of material beingtreated but in such relation that the vibratory impulses imparted to thematerial by the vibratory members will merge, a vibrating unit mountedin a substantially spaced vertical relation to said vibratory membersand comprising an unbalanced rotor disposed with its axis in parallelrelation to said vibratory members and connected thereto so that itsvibratory action is imparted to both members, and means for supportingsaid vibratory element and said vibratory means therefor permitting freevibratory action thereof asa unit.

'7. In a machine of the class described, the combination with asupporting unit provided with means for vertical adjustment thereof, avibratory element carried by said supporting unit for verticaladjustment therewith and comprising laterally spaced elongatedsubmersible vibratory members rigidly connected for vibratory action asa unit and spaced to permit the passage therebetween of materialbeingtreated but in such relation that the vibratory impulses impartedto the material by the vibratory members will merge, a vibrating meansfor said vibratory element, and means for supporting said vibratoryelement and said vibratory means therefor permitting free vibratoryaction thereof as a unit, said supporting means being such as to permittilting adjustment of said vibratory element for raising and loweringthe vibratory members relative to each other.

8. In a machine of the class described, the combination with asupporting unit provided with means for vertical adjustment thereof, avibratory element carried by said supporting unit for verticaladjustment therewith and comprising laterally spaced elongatedsubmersible vibratory members rigidly connected for vibratory action asa unit and spaced to permit the passage therebetween of material beingtreated but in such relation that the vibratory impulses imparted to thematerial by the vibratory members will merge, a vibrating means for saidvibratory element, and means for supporting said vibratory elementpermitting free vibratory action thereof as a unit.

9. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a screedprovided with a front plate adapted to support a substantial amount ofmaterial to be treated, of aA vibratory element comprising a pair ofelongated horizontally disposed submersible vibratory members rigidlyconnected in laterally spaced relation, and a vibrating means comprisingan unbalanced rotor mounted centrally relative to said vibratory membersand in a plane substantially above the vibratory members so that thevibrations of said vibrating means are imparted to the vibratory elementas a unit, said vibratory members being spaced to permit passage ofmaterials vibrated around and betweenl the same, the rear vibratorymember being in such proximity to the face plate of the screed and thebottom of the screed as to impart vibratory motion to the materialtreated supported by the face plate of the screed and substantiallybelow the bottom of the screed.

10. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a screedprovided with a front plate adapted to support a substantial amount ofmaterial to be treated, of a vibratory element comprising a pair ofelongated horizontally disposed submersible vibratory members rigidlyconnected in laterally spaced relation, and a vibrating means for saidvibrating element, said vibratory members being spaced to permit passageof materials vibrated around and between the same, the rear vibratorymember being in such proximity to the face plate of the screed and thebottom of the screed as to impart vibratory motion to the materialtreated supported by the face plate of the screed and substantiallybelow the bottom of the screed, said rear vibratory member being spacedfrom the screed to permit the' passage of aggregate of substantial sizebetween the face plate of the screed and the vibratory member.

11. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a screedprovided with a front plate adapted to support a substantial amount ofmaterial to be treated, of a vibratory element comprising a pair ofelongated horizontally disposed submersiblevibratory members rigidlyconnected in laterally spaced relation, `and a vibrating means for saidvibrating element, said vibratory members being spaced to permit passageof materials vibrated around and between the same, the rear vibratorymemberbeing in such proximity to the face plate of the screed and thebottom of the screed as toimpart vibratory motion to the materialtreated supported by the face plate of the screed and substantiallybelow the bottom of the screed.

12. In a machine of the class described, the

combination with a supporting unit provided with means for verticaladjustment thereof, a vibratory element carried by said supporting unitfor vertical adjustment therewith and comprising laterally spaced.elongated submersible vibratory members rigidly connected for vibratoryaction as a unit and spaced to permit the passage therebetween ofmaterial being treated, a vibrating means for said vibratory element,means for supporting said vibratory element permitting vibratory actionthereof as a unit comprising flexible non-extensible hangers, draft armscarried by said supporting unit projecting downwardly and forwardly inadvance of said vibratory unit, flexible non-extensible draft membersconnecting said vibratory element to.

said arms, upwardly and forwardly projecting thrust arms on saidvibratory element, and bumper members on said draft arms normally out ofcontact with said thrust arms but with which said thrust arms may engageon the relative forward swinging movement of said vibratory element.

13. In a machine of the class described, the combination with asupporting unit provided with means for 4vertical adjustment thereof, avibratory element carried by said supporting unit for verticaladjustment therewith, a vibrating means for said vibratory element,means for supporting said vibratory element permitting vibratory actionthereof as a unit comprising exible non-extensible hangers, draft armscarried by said supporting unit projecting downwardly and forwardly inadvance of said vibratory unit, flexible non-extensible draft membersconnecting said vibratory element to said arms, upwardly and forwardlyprojecting thrust arms on said vibratory element, and bumper members onsaid draft arms normally out of contact with said thrust arms but withwhich said thrust arms may engage on the relative forward swingingmovement of said vibratory element.

14. In a machine of the class described, th..-

combination with a supporting unit, a vibratory element carried by saidsupporting unit and comprising laterally spaced elongated submersiblevibratory members rigidly connected for vibratory action as a unit andspaced to permit passage therebetween of material being treated, avibrating means for said vibratory element, means for supporting saidvibratory element Dermitting vibratory action thereof as a unit andpermitting swinging movement, flexible non-extensible draft members forsaid vibratory element, forwardly disposed thrust members on saidvibratory element, and bumper members on said supporting unit normallyout of contact with said vibratory element but with which said thrustmembers may engage on the relative forward swinging movement of saidvibratory element.

15. In a machine of the class described, the

combination with a supporting unit, a vibratory element carried by saidsupporting unit, a vibrating means for said vibratory element. means forsupporting said vibratory element permitting vibratory action thereof asa unit and permitting swinging movement, flexible non-extensible draftmembers for said vibratory element, forwardly disposed thrust memberson-said vibratory element, and bumper members on said supporting unitnormally out of contact with said vibratory element but with which saidthrust membersmay engage on the relative forward swinging movement ofsaid vibratory element.

CORWILL JACKSON.

